Leadership and Administration (MSEd Online)

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About The Program

School of Education

Leadership and Administration (MSEd Online)

Northern State University’s Leadership and Administration program is a flexible, affordable online degree that will develop your leadership abilities. Aligned with national standards set by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council, the program meets South Dakota Department of Education requirements for certification as a K-12 principal.

Specialized courses foster development of standards-based skills school administrators need – including educational leadership, the importance of understanding school culture, supervision of instruction and services, school management and safety, school-community relations, ethical practices and curriculum development.

Courses focus on effective leadership models, data-driven decision making, and promotion of school and community partnerships. Curriculum focuses on the principal’s role in continuous school improvement.

Admission to the Leadership and Administration program requirements include the following:

Undergraduate GPA of 2.75

Completed application form

Two letters of recommendation

$35 application fee

An official transcript

Careers

Potential careers include positions at the K-12 level as a principal, assistant principal, athletic director, or dean of students.

Internships

Students often complete their practicum and internships in the school in which they are currently employed.

Scholarships

The Bob Lehr Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship available for students in this program.

Dr. Craig Kono began his career in education in 1979 teaching secondary social science in Colton, S.D. From 1981-1987, he was a classroom secondary social science teacher in Conde, S.D.; coached girls’ and boys’ basketball and track; and directed the all-school play.

In 1988, he began a school administration career as secondary principal in Bowdle, S.D., and in 1993 moved back to Conde to serve as superintendent and secondary principal. Dr. Kono also taught summer driver’s education courses at Groton, Brookings, Castlewood, Bowdle, and Conde, S.D. In 2001, Dr. Kono completed his doctoral degree in educational administration at the University of South Dakota and was named assistant professor of education at Northern State University in July 2001.

Dr. Kono earned a doctorate from the University of South Dakota in 2001; a master's degree from NSU in 1988; and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of South Dakota in 1998 and NSU in 1979.

Dr. Andria Moon joined NSU's faculty in August 2013. She received a doctor of education degree in educational leadership in August 2011 and master of arts degree in educational technology in August 2007 from Central Michigan University, and a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and early childhood in May 2004 from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and advisor to the NSU AEYC student group, which was named NSU Student Organization of the Year in 2015. In other activities at NSU, Moon serves as a faculty senator; Common Read Committee member; Teacher Education Curriculum co-chair, FLAGS representative, and HLC criterion co-chair. She also supervises elementary and early childhood teacher candidates and chairs honors and graduate theses. Moon planned two faculty-led study abroad trips to Italy (2016) and Greece (2017) and is planning a faculty-led trip to Spain for May 2019.

Dr. Cheryl Wold joined NSU's faculty in 2013. She received a Ph.D. in teaching and learning from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, an M.S.Ed. degree in special education/learning disabilities from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Ill., and a B.S.Ed. degree in elementary and special education from NSU. Dr. Wold was a special education teacher for 17 years; Title I reading and math teacher for seven years; and a director of special education for eight years.

Dr. Wold is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Council of Administrators of Special Education, and Council of Higher Education (COHE). She is the president of SDCEC and treasurer for NSU COHE. She also is a member of the American Association of University Women.

At Northern, Dr. Wold has been advisor for the Council for Exceptional Children and the South Dakota Education Association. She is a member of the Faculty Senate Committee, Academic Affairs Committee, Faculty Activities Committee, several faculty search committees, and the Teacher Education Council, as well as the CEEDAR, Office of Instructional Support and Disability committees.

Awards

Dr. Wold received the Sanford Faculty Development Award in 2018 and the OLC Advanced Online Teaching Certificate in 2015.

Wold was named NSU Student Organization Advisor of the Year and was involved in the NSU Student Organization of the Year for 2014-15.

Research Interests

Special education issues related to early childhood outcomes

Specific learning disabilities

iPad initiatives

Transitions to postsecondary

General education issues related to RTI

Literacy instruction

Differentiated instruction and accountability

Teacher training and qualifications

Director of special education qualifications and teacher shortages in special education

Publications and Presentations

Wold, C. & Vogel, J. (2018, March 13). Using Evidence-Based Practices to Improve Student Outcomes, to be presented at the 2018 Special Education Conference in Sioux Falls, SD.

Wold, C., Neville, A.L. & Moon, A. (2018, February 10). Making All Teachers Better Teachers for Students with Disabilities. Presented at the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2017 Convention and Expo in Tampa, FL.

Wold, C.M. (2016, March 23). Making All Teachers Better Teachers. South Dakota Special Education Conference in Pierre, SD.

Wold, C.M. (2015, April 10). Response To Intervention; 10 years later: What has changed since 2004? Presented at the National CEC Convention and Expo in San Diego, CA.

Wold, C.M. (2014, February 7). Tips for the Successfully Implementing Response To Intervention (RTI). Presented at the North Dakota Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) State Conference in Mandan, ND.

Wold, C.M. (2009). Response To Intervention: A study of the Implementation of Response To Intervention in North Dakota Schools. (Doctoral dissertation, University of North Dakota, 2009).